Thursday, 29 November 2018

Thought for the day:"Told a joke about a mandatory meeting – Nobody Laughed – guess you had to be there"

Yes. we still get a thought for the day and a Cartoon...
But chiefly today is to capture the spirit of the day yesterday at the Funeral..
The rain came down in torrents ... but the drive to the Crematorium was through the fields and woods and avoided all the main traffic that would have made the journey far worse....

And as I have with previous services - I record the details of the ceremonial ....

Order of Celebration

We started with Moon River by Andy Williams...

introduction:

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the West Chapel at Bournemouth…

May I first offer sincere thanks on
behalf of Vic, of Lynne and Steve and their family, of Sue and myself and our family, for the kind words, thoughts,
expressions of condolence, and good will that has been extended at this
difficult time.

and a special thank you to those of you
who have managed to come along to support us all, as we take an opportunity to
remember Jean.

It may be grey outside and that may
reflect that this day is tinged with sadness, but that does not
mean that it has to be a sad occasion… We each have our distinct memories of
Jean,

as a wife, mother, grandmother, relation,
or friend,

And those memories together weave a
wonderful story of her life, her energy, her joys in music, dancing, painting,
her abilities as a tailor, her stall with her antiques and curios, being belle
of the ball at the captain’s table on her many cruises..

And those memories mean that she lives on
in our hearts. So today is an opportunity to celebrate that life.

To celebrate those memories

And to realise that she touched each of
us in a special and unique way…

Jean was 89 years old – and she managed
to pack a lot of fun and enjoyment into those years. She came into my life in
the late seventies when she and Vic married. I could write a

book on the last 40 years. But there was
a rich life before as well and Steve will say some words to remind us of
the wonderful woman who was part of all
our lives….

The last years were not easy. But perhaps
were worse for those of us about her as she slipped into her own world. I have
many memories of Jean over the years, but one distinct vison I have is of her
in her later years, as she sat upon her bed gazing out onto the Garden that she
loved so much – quietly, and it seemed to me that she was contented -
reflecting upon those years that had passed.

Perhaps, as the music plays we can each
reach into out memories of Jean and remember that there were some “very good
years”

Frank Sinatra - A very good year....

If I may now call upon Steve to say some
words…….

Eulogy

Jean was
born in Kilburn on 13th September 1929. She was the 7th child adding
to her family of 3 sisters and 3 brothers. Lynne recalls her mum rallying
sympathy that (quote) ‘I never knew my father’ to the faux sound of air violins
from Lynne, family and friends.

Life was
tough for her and the family in those days. In their 2 bedroom tenement, her older
sisters did much to alleviate the burdens on her mum. Jean recalled being locked
in a room for her safety while her hardworking mum went out to work and pay the
bills. For all of this, Jean always recalled the fun, banter and laughter in
her busy household.

During the
war, Jean was evacuated with her much loved brother, Reg, to Bedfordshire. At
first, they were fostered by a family she hated. Jean remembered her sixpence
and chocolate ration was meanly confiscated and given in turn to their chubby son…sound
like a Harry Potter story!! Eventually, she was rescued by another family that
she loved and was loved in return. So much so, they wanted to adopt her
although didn’t happen!

After the
war, Jean attended a trade school in London learning to be a tailor.

This was a
skill that Jean always embraced although not her real desire. I bet that most
of us here had something made or altered by her over the years! Let alone the
neighbour’s.

After trade
school, Jean mostly worked in the West End making high quality clothing for the
wealthy.

Whist all
this was going on, Jean had what would seem a pretty good social life. Fridays
and Saturdays were easily filled with dance nights at the Hammersmith or
Cricklewood Palais. She loved to jive and this played a big part in her meeting
Joe, Lynne’s Dad, which eventually led them to marry in 1952.

Jean again recalled her love of motorbikes
during that era. As pillion to Joe, she fell off the motorbike knocking herself
out. She woke hours later in hospital with a nun leaning over her and Christmas
carols playing in the background. She thought she had died and gone to Heaven!

Then in May
1957, Lynne was invented. This, in my opinion, was Jeans best achievement to
date, Lynne was not only her daughter it became a friendship made in heaven. They
were like peas from the pod, best buddies. And it was all like falling off a
bike!

Added to
the pleasures of Lynne and life in Shrewsbury Avenue was her close and lifelong
friendships with Pat and Jan

Her
marriage with Joe wasn’t to be. Happily, she met Vic, on the dancefloor again.
Vic proved to be her shining light, her rock, event’s organiser and travel
agent. I will always remember Jean & Vic’s love of big occasions, cruises
and many years of happiness together……..Vic, you found a winner there.

After
marrying in 1978, they lived in Mill Hill for 10 years. They made the decision
to emigrate to Dorset, based partly on the theory that grandchildren was not a
likely prospect. They were slightly wrong…….. 5 in all came along.

Moving to
Dorset wasn’t going to get in the way of Jean and Vic playing Nanny Jean and
Grandad Vic. There were many week long excursions that Lucy Sophie and Olivia had
with visits to Mudeford, G&Ts, and the dry ski slopes to name but a few
activities. We have since found out, they were spoilt rotten!!!!

Today, we
have the memories….

I remember
all the little things, especially…the scuttling of Jeans bedroom slippers as
she busied herself with whatever, her happy lah lah lah songs that she sang. I
never did recognise them, did you? And her skill at providing a NICE cup of
tea, never an ordinary one.

Undeniably,
Jeans glass was always more than half full and never half empty.

Lucy said,
whenever asked if she could go back in time, what time would she pick, she
answers ‘a day with my Nan when she was young’

I know
Lynne wants to make her own tribute and has asked me to express it……and I
quote….

‘My mother
Jean was a warm, loving, caring person, who could always light up a room with
her presence. She made my childhood wonderful, never doubting my journey
through life. Always ready to give advice, council and eat chocolate with. I
cannot tell you how much I love her, she has been my best friend and my ray of
sunshine. I love you mum and will miss you for ever.’

We then had the Winkle Song - sung by me... (I don't have my own version yet)

Thank you to Steve for those words..

This may be the only time that these
walls will resound to the sounds of the Winkle Song – but it was a favourite
and so it is fitting to hear as we share our memories.

And now – we come to that part of our day
– when we take our leave of Jean. When we say a sad goodbye.

We have celebrated her life … and take pleasure that she has lived with us…
our memories will take her forward in our lives as we leave this room….

So long as we keep our fond memories she
will never be apart from us – it is as though she is but in the next room …

Into the freedom of wind and
sunshine

We let you go

Into the dance of the stars and the planets

We let you go

Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker

We let you go

We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy

Go safely, go dancing,

go running home…

I would like to thank everyone for
attending… and we will part with the
sounds of Frank Sinatra once again…

Wednesday, 28 November 2018

My thoughts today are with a friend out in America who suffered a car collision, and it would seem through no fault of hers, and has some nasty injuries ... Wishing her a speedy recovery ..

Fenrah

23rd November 2018

9:30 p.m. update:

Oregon State Police say one person is dead and two are seriously injured after a crash on Highway 199 Friday night.

OSP said the crash happened around 7:20 p.m. near milepost 22.

The investigation revealed a white 2005 Toyota Corolla, driven by 27-year-old Rogue River resident Briana Varela, was heading southbound when her car crossed the lanes.

Varela's car hit a maroon 2018 Nissan Versa, which was driven by Elizabeth Real of the United Kingdom.

OSP said Varela was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center before being flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She was pronounced dead from her injuries.

Real was taken to Three Rivers Medical Center and later flown to Riverbend Hospital in Eugene with serious injuries. Her passenger, Kelly Karaba of Arcata, California, was flown to Rogue Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

OSP said Varela was reported as a reckless driver about 16 miles before the crash scene.

Investigators would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the driving behavior or the crash.

Anyone with information can call the Oregon State Police dispatch at 541-776-6111 or *OSP and reference CASE #SP18-435402

10:00 am Update:

The Illinois Valley Fire sent out a press release Saturday morning at 10:00 am. The Fire District says two of the patients pulled from the cars were taken to Asante Three rivers Medical Center. The other patient pulled from the car was flown by Mercy Flights to Medford. Their injuries are unknown at this time.

The Oregon State Police says the crash is still under investigation. Highway 199 was closed for an hour.

--

First responders are extricating three people after a crash south of Selma Friday night.

It happened at about 7:17 p.m. Illinois Valley Fire District says three ambulances are at the scene, and a helicopter is making it's way there as well.

Monday, 26 November 2018

Thought for the day:"Blind Archery? You don’t know what you are missing"

Today was a launch of a new database resource center for Freemasonry entitled SOLOMON
As far as I can see it is not restricted to Masons and anyone can enrol with a valid email and confirmation - and this seems to me to be a good step forward in the purposes of openness.

It forms a series of "nuggets" or papers which give some additional explanation of the symobolism, and history of Freemasonry in a way that assumes that you know the ritual and does not steal form the impact of the ritual.

I also received my "Enough is Enough" badge today. Another little step in the right direction. Not overly "in your face" - but still recognisable as such...

It aims to do something practical against the mis-information that comes out of much of the press - in particular the Guardian which seems to have a particular "down" on Freemasonry. If something is blatantly untrue then it is better to speak out against it straight away and demand a retraction. In these days of fake news and political machination - it is better not to get things straight. It just suggests that it is sometimes better to ask the people who know and get their opinion and then look for the evidence to support that or another version of the facts. Seems to me that this was the basis of good investigative journalism in the past... But that was before 24 hour television and news...

But half the price goes to Charity - so I will put it with my other Masonic Trappings and wear with pride.....

Meanwhile it is Monday and therefore it is time to change the profile pictures once again ...

Friday, 23 November 2018

Thought for the day:"If the human body is 80% water – I am not fat – I am flooded !"

Nice Trip to Carmarthen last night to see an Father and Son initiation, with a 50 years in Freemasonry award for the Great Uncle - a real family affair. St Teilo WM - Phil Williams led a delegation of 17 members (22 if you count the honorary members with joint membership) and responded for the visitors and collected the travelling gavel which will now stay in Llanelli until it is picked up by another lodge.

WM - Phil Williams

The Traveling Gavel

Meanwhile - in other news ... it has been discovered where Trump grows his wigs...

In the USA it was thanksgiving yesterday which means apparently by default that today is Black Friday.... Why this should affect the UK I have no idea. we have managed to avoid thanksgiving with no problem at all - sadly it is clearly the economics of commercialism that leads to yet another US holiday being brought over the water ... My feed is full of people discovering that their Black Friday Specials are actually more expensive than they were a few weeks ago...

I felt it only fair to add my own thoughts to this situation...

Seems about right...
Appendent Orders tomorrow morning and I need to get into the book ... and then off to Bangor for a medieval Banquet -

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Thought for the day :"If you cut your left arm off – then your right arm would be left "

Time to revisit little houses:

Here’s an attractive modern home built by Olive Nest Tiny Homes, nicknamed The Elsa, in some ways the tiny house that’s unlike any other tiny house you’ve ever seen. When at it’s destination, the tiny house has a separate trailer that connects with it and has a greenhouse mounted to it. In essence, a two-trailer tiny house setup that turns into one. The inside is just as impression as the exterior as you’ll see in the video. The home’s interior measures 323 square feet, and includes a full-sized seating area, kitchen, dining counter, bathroom and sleeping loft. It features a mini-split unit for heating and air conditioning. What do you think?

And in revisiting Little Houses - time to revisit Llanelli in days gone by ..
1971 and BBC Radio Wales provide this insight into the town - leaving babies outside shops, the new multi-storey car park and Graham Donoghue's the Greengrocer - look at the prices - that was pre EU !!!

About Me

From the frozen wastes of Northern Norsca, Vollsanger was a Skald of the old tradition - a Bard who was well schooled in the ancient songs and epic tales.

Coming out of the Skadi Mountains one day - he found the Crimson Moon Tavern in a glade with many strange people who had travelled great distances to meet up. The War Host!

Selling a song for a copper - writing songs on demand and entertaining the peoples of the factions. Vollsanger faces new challenges... LARP Awards Bard of the Year 2018. LARP & Re-enactment Skald.Guest Bard at the Conquest of Mythodea in Germany